February 4, 2013

San Leandro Councilmembers Prola and Lee Make Their Commission Nominations

While San Leandro District 6 Councilmember Jim Prola has re-nominated all of his existing commissioners, newly-elected Councilmember Benny Lee has nominated two new commissioners and re-nominated three existing commissioners. Lee has not yet nominated anyone to fill the vacancy on the Senior Commission.

Lee nominated Kai Leung to the Planning Commission. Leung replaces Tom Dlugosh, who vacated his seat on the Planning Commission when he was appointed in September 2012 to fill out the remainder of former Councilmember Joyce Starosciak's term. According to Leung's application, he is retired and was part of the San Leandro delegation to Yangchun, China, in October 2007.

Lee nominated friendly campaign rival Justin Hutchison (his campaign web site said, “Please cast your second choice vote for Benny Lee.”) to the Recreation and Parks Commission, where he replaces Charles “Chuck” Kane, who was appointed in May 2011. According to his application, Hutchison works for Target in Fremont. Hutchison listed his education and qualifications as an A.A. in Administration of Justice, San Lorenzo Little League Board of Directors from 2008-2011 and Washington Manor Junior League baseball coach since 2004.

Lee re-appointed Amada Robles to the Human Services Commission and Arlene Lum to the Library-Historical Commission where both have served since May 2005. Robles frequently provides Spanish translation at City events and Lum was circulating a petition against marijuana dispensaries at a recent town hall meeting. Lum contributed $100 to Lee's 2012 City Council campaign

Lee also re-appointed Catherine Vierra Houston to the Board of Zoning Adjustments (BZA), where she has served since September 2009. Houston is a labor union representative for the United Steelworkers.

In District 6, Jim Prola re-appointed Rene Mendieta to BZA, Carmen Fewless to the Human Services Commission, Carole Rinaldi to the Library-Historical Commission, Esther Collier to the Planning Commission, Robert Fox to the Recreation and Parks Commission, and Bella Comelo to the Senior Commission. Mendieta has served on the BZA since February 2009 and Fewless was appointed to the Human Services Commission in June 2005. Rinaldi has served on the Library-Historical Commission since March 2005 and Collier has been on the Planning Commission since March 2001. Fox was appointed to the Recreation and Parks Commission in February 2009. Comelo has been on the Senior Commission since February 2009. Collier contributed $100 to Prola's 2012 City Council campaign.